Gas-fueled lighters

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a gas-fueled lighter in which the outer covering or sheath is segregated from any mechanical functions, so that after the lighter has been assembled, no mechanical part of the gas release, ignition mechanism, and filling mechanism can be seen by the user.

United States Patent [191 Hocq 1 May 15, 1973 [54] GAS-FUELED LIGHTERS[56] References Cited [75] Inventor: Robert Raymond Hocq, Boulogne-UNITED STATES PATENTS Billancourt, France 3,371,507 3/1968 Newman..43l/143 [73] Assignee: 'Societe Franco-Hispano-Americaine 3,134,2515/1964 Gellman ..431/l30 (Francispam), Saint Gratin (Vald- Oise), FrancePrimary Examiner-Carroll B. Dority, Jr. Attorney Curtis, Morris &Safford [22] Filed: Feb. 21, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 136,091 [57] ABSTRACTThe invention relates to a gas-fueled lighter in which [30] ForelgnApphcatlon Pflomy Data the outer covering or sheath is segregated fromany April 24, 1970 France ..70/149s2 mechanical functkms that after thelighter has been assembled, no mechanical part of the gas release, [52]U.S.Cl. ..43l/143, 431/254, 431/274 ignition mechanism, and fillingmechanism can be [51] Int. Cl ..F23q 2/00 n y the u r. [58] Field ofSearch ..431/130, 131, 142,

16 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 3133,16?

SHEET 1 OF 2 FIG. 6

1 GAS-FUELED LIGHTERS The present invention has for its object toprovide a lighter comprising a body and an igniting mechanism of theso-called automatic type i.e. in which the parts of the ignitingmechanism resume their operative position as soon as the pressure havingperformed the ignition ceases.

Lighters of this type comprise among other elements a part which theuser operates to perform the ignition. Owing to the fact that said partis included in the igniting mechanism, this part necessarily undergoeswear and may have to be replaced. This may involve a disadvantage forexample when the lighter possesses a fairly luxurious housing or sheath.In such a case, a change of the part which is operated by the user isexpensive.

Likewise on lighters of this kind, the aperture or the fuel-feedingvalve is generally arranged inside the lighter, for example underneaththe body, which makes it necessary to provide a protecting device forsaid aperture or valve. 7

An object of the present invention is to segregate the sheath from anymechanical functions and to provide a lighter avoiding the aforesaiddisadvantages and comprising an outer covering or sheath having noconspicuous mechanical part and no part directly associated with thefuel feed or the mounting of the lighter, thereby permitting a fairlyluxurious or smart sheath to be easily provided and to construct eachpart of the mechanism exclusively in view of the function that it mustfulfil in the mechanism and, moreover, eventually to change any part ofthe mechanism without modifying the sheath.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lighter essentiallycharacterized by the fact that a covering part is removably arranged onthe control part which is employed by the user.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lighter of theaforesaid type wherein an intermediate part is interposed between thecovering part and the control part which is employed by the user forcausing ignition of the lighter.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a lighter whereinduring the assembly of the mechanism upon the body, said mechanism isabutted against a portion of the body which is no longer visible whenthe mechanism is in position thereon.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a lighter whereinthe fuel feed aperture in the body is provided on its upper face at aposition which is invisible when the mechanism is in position on thebody.

With these and such other objects as will incidentally appearhereinafter, the invention comprises the novel construction andcombination of parts that will be now described with reference to theaccompanying drawings exemplifying the same and forming a part of thepresent disclosure.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the mechanism of a lighter according tothe invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the body of the lighter having themechanism as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the main parts of the lighter representedin FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a general view of the lighter shown in FIGS. I and 2.

FIG. 5 is a plan view along the line VV in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side view along the line VIVI of FIG. 4.

The lighter essentially comprises a body 1 adapted to receive the fueland a head 2 for receiving the mechanism.

The mechanism is secured to a platform 3 which serves as a supporttherefor and comprises a platen 4 and a pair of symmetrical side plates5 (see FIG. 3). The platen 4 is perforated as shown at 6 and 7 andterminates at one end in the form of a lug 8 while having adjacent theother end a transverse recess 9.

Each side plate 5 ends in a slightly bent lug 16 and has four holes 10,ll, 12, 13 the functions of which are indicated hereafter, also a pairof bosses 14,15 the functions of which will also appear hereafter.

The holes 13 in the side plates 5 receive an axis 18 (FIG. 1) whichcarries a lever 17 revoluble about this axis. The lever 17 is in theshape of an inverted U in cross section and comprises two cheek plates19,20. The plate 19 has a notch 21 at its end remote from the axis 18.Each of the plates 19,20 also has a peg 22 which permits a pusher 23 tobe hooked up on the lever 17 through the medium of a part 24 that iswelded to the pusher. The part 24 is provided with four holes 25 for theengagement of the pegs 22, four bent off portions 26 and two flanges 27(FIG. 3).

The bent off portions 26 are provided for the engagement of a tool forspreading apart the sides of the intermediate part and for disengagingthe pegs 22 so as to release the lever 17 from said intermediate part.The flanges 27 are adapted to be abutted against the sides of the pusher23.

The holes 10 which are of substantially rectangular shape receive a pairof lugs 57 provided on a lever 28 which is used for the control of a gasoutlet valve 29 forming no part of the invention. The front end of thelever 28 is forked-shaped and abutted against the two bent portions 16of the side plates 5.

The holes 11 receive an axis 30 which carries, above a flint tube 34(FIG. 1) engageable through the hole 7 in the platen 4, a friction wheel31 and a ratchet wheel 32 associated with a pawl 33 revolubly fittedupon an axis rigid with the lever 17 and urged against the frictionwheel 32 bya spring (not shown).

The holes 12 receive an axis 35 which carries a lever 36 pushing aspark-producing flint against the friction wheel 31 owing to the actionof a spring 37. A trigger 38 is pivotally supported by the lever 36(FIG. 1).

Holes 55 formed in a yoke member 40 welded in a cap member 41 whichconstitutes together with the pusher 23 the outer head of the lighterreceive the bosses 14 on the platform 3. The yoke member 40 also has apair of notches 43 (FIG. 3) engageable over the bosses 15 on the sideplates 5 of the platform 3. The cap member 41 located above the valve 29is perforated as shown at 42.

The lighter body 1 is made up of a casing 44 and a lid 45 provided withfour holes 50,51,52,53 and a small transverse bar 54. A tank 46 (seeFIGS. 2 and 3) having a filling valve 47 fitted thereto is housed in thebody 1.

The arrangement of the filling valve 47 on the upper end of the body 1in a position which is inconspicuous when the mechanism is in positionon the body is a particularly valuable feature because it permits tospare a valve-protecting device, thereby providing a lighter body havingno visible mechanical part and achieving a sheath which is practicallyindependent of mechanical needs. Moreover it renders the valveimmediately accessible for the user after the mechanism has beendismounted and is in valve-filling position.

The lid 45 is secured to the tank 46 by a hollow screw 48 (FIG. 2) whichis abutted to the filling valve 47 and tightly clamps a spring 49, alsoby a further device (not shown) fulcrumed to the gas outlet valve 29 andclamping a spring 56 (FIG. 3).

The filling valve 47 is engaged through a hole 50 in the lid 45 and thegas outlet valve 29 is engaged likewise through a hole 51.

The tank 46 and the casing 44 are so shaped that the latter fits overthe former, thereby holding it safely in position.

In view of this construction, the mounting steps are performed asfollows:

As the tank 46 is fixed to the lid 45, it becomes tucked into the casing44, thereby providing a complete body 1.

As regards the head 2, the head is glued, soldered or welded to theintermediate part 24 which comes into engagement with the lever 17 whosepegs 22 pass through the holes 25 in the intermediate part.

The lever 17 is pivotally mounted upon the axis 18 carried by theplatform 3 and is held in raised position by the spring 37 which isabutted against the top end of the lever 17 and against the lever 36whereby one and the same spring 37 exerts a pushing stress which appliesthe flint against the friction wheel 31 (FIG. 1).

The notch 21 receives the rear edge of the valve lever 28 which isfulcrumed against the lower edge of said notch 21, thereby rocking thelever 28 about the lugs 57 engaging the holes in the platform 3 andpreventing the front edge of the lever from lifting the gas outlet spoutof the valve 29.

Besides the axis 18 for the lever 17, the platform 3 carries the axis 30carrying the frictional wheel 31 and the ratchet wheel 32 (FIG. 1) theflint tube 34 and the axis 35 of the lever 36.

Proper positioning of the cap member 41 is effected by slidably engagingit from the front end towards the rear end so as to engage both arms ofthe yoke member 42 on both sides of the side plates 5 on the platform 3,to bring the holes 55 over the bosses 14 of said plates and to engagethe notches 43 over these bosses. The bosses 39 are used to clamp theyoke member 42 between the side plates on the platform 3 and the sidesof the pusher 23.

For positioning the mechanism 2 on the body 1, the lower end of theplaten 4 is applied flatly on the lid 45 so that the platen lug 8, theflint tube 34 and the end of the trigger 38 are engaged through the hole52 in the lid 45 and the spring 49 thereon is engaged through the hole 6in the platform 3.

Owing to this arrangement, the plated 4 is abutted at its front endagainst the lid 45 and at its rear end on the lid bar 54 whereby whenmoving the mechanism to its position on the body, frictions of thoseparts of the lid which remain visible after such positioning movementare avoided.

Owing to its outline, its retention in the notch 21 in the lever 17 andits abutment against the bent lugs 16 of the platform 3, the valve lever28 assumes such a position that its forked-shaped front edge isimmediately positioned at such a height as will enable it to occupy itspredetermined position under the gas-escaping spout.

The assembly is then slid forwardly until the spring 56 is engaged overthe front edge of the lug 8 and the recess 9 in the platform is engagedupon the lid bar 54. Consequently the mechanism is locked upon the body1 by the spring 56 and by the engagement of the bar 54 into the recess 9owing to the action of the spring 49.

It will be seen that the lid bar 54 has a double function since, duringthe movement to operative position, it also protects the lid 45 fromundue frictions against the platen 4.

When it is desired to withdraw the head, it is only sufficient toretract it to a slight extent so as to unlock it by disengaging the samefrom the action of the springs 49 and 56.

The operation is similar to that of automatic lighters:

When the user depresses the pusher 23, the lever 17 first liberates thevalve lever 28 and then imparts rotation to the friction wheel 31through the medium of the pawl 33 and ratchet wheel 32, therebyproducing a spark whereafter the user depresses the rear end of thevalve lever 28 which rocks about its lugs 57 and raises the spout of thevalve 29, thus releasing the fuel gas which becomes ignited under theaction of the spark and remains ignited as long as the user keeps apressure on the pusher 23.

As the user releases the pusher 23, the spring 37 urges back the lever17 whereby the lower end of its notch 21 brings the valve lever 28 backto its valveclosing position.

The provision of the notch 21 permits the gas outflow to be releasedonly after the friction wheel 31 has been rotated while closing of thevalve is performed by the conventional spring which is incorporated withthe valve as soon as the pusher 23 is moved up again, thereby savingfuel gas.

Obviously minor constructional details may be varied without departingfrom the scope of the invention. Thus for example the possibility isafforded to substitute for the bar 54 of the lid 45 one or several studsby providing corresponding perforations in the platen 4 on the platform3.

As a further alternative, the fuel tank 46 might be glued to the casing44 or the assembly made up of the casing 44 and lid 45 might be so builtas to constitute a container that would directly receive the fuel.

What is claimed is:

1. A lighter comprising a casing containing a supply of fuel, a supportplatform removably mounted on said casing and an ignition mechanismmounted on said platform including an actuating lever pivotally mountedon said platform, a housing sheath defining a pusher, and anintermediate operating member operatively connecting said pusher andsaid lever, said intermediate operating member being rigidly secured tosaid pusher and removably connected to said actuating lever whereby saidpusher and intermediate operating member may be removed from said leverto permit replacement of said lever without replacement of said pusher.

2. A lighter comprising a casing containing a supply of fuel andincluding an upper mounting portion having a bar extending transverselyof said casing and protruding from the surface of said mounting portion,and an ignition mechanism including a carrying platform adapted to beremovably mounted on said upper mounting portion, one of said uppermounting portion and said carrying platform having a retention surfaceformed thereon and the other of said mounting portion and said carryingplatform including resilient retaining means for engaging said retentionsurface and holding said mounting portion and ignition mechanism in apredetermined relative position after movement of said ignitionmechanism longitudinally withrespect to said casing in a firstpredetermined direction, and said carrying platform having a recessformed therein for receiving said transverse bar when said casing andignition mechanism are in said predetermined relative position.

3. A lighter as defined in claim 2 wherein said casing includes a fuelcontaining body having an aperture therein for filling said body, saidaperture being located to be concealed from view when said ignitermechanism is in said predetermined position.

4. A lighter as defined in claim 2 including a valve for fuel in saidcasing, and wherein said ignition mechanism includes a valve controllever movable between opened and closed positions, a pivotally mountedactuatin g lever movable between first and second positions, and flintmeans for producing an igniting spark, said actuating lever having anotch formed thereon for engaging one end of said valve control lever,said notch having a configuration including spaced upper and lower edgesand being located in the first position of said actuating levernormally-to engage said valve lever with its lower edge, thereby to holdsaid valve lever in its closed position, said upper edge of said notchbeing located to engage said valve lever in the second position of saidactuating lever thereby to hold said valve lever in its opened position,and said notch edges being spaced at predetermined distance apartwhereby said valve lever is free of said notch edges during movement ofsaid actuating lever between said first and second positions.

5. A lighter as defined in claim 2 wherein said ignition mechanismincludes an actuating lever pivotally mounted on said carrying platform,a housing sheath defining apusher, and anintermediate operating memberoperatively connectingsaid pusher to said lever, said intermediateoperating member being rigidly secured to said pusher and removablyconnected to said actuating lever whereby said pusher and intermediateoperating member may be removed from said actuating lever to permitreplacement of said actuating lever without replacement of said pusher.

6. A lightercomprising a casing containing a supply of fuel, a supportplatform removably mounted on said casing and an ignition mechanismmounted on said platform including means for producing a spark and anactuating lever pivotally mounted on said platform for actuating saidspark producing means, a housing sheath defining a pusher and having asubstantially U-shaped cross-section for substantially surrounding saidactuating lever, an intermediate operating member rigidly secured tosaid sheath in the interior of its U-shaped cross-section, saidintermediate operating member being removably connected to saidactuating lever whereby said pusher and said intermediate operatingmember may be removed from said actuating lever to expose said actuatinglever and said ignition mechanism on said platform.

7. The lighter as defined in claim 6 wherein said actuatin g lever has apair of longitudinally extending spaced lateral sides and saidintermediate operating member includes at least two laterally spacedextensions which receive said actuating lever therebetween in operativeconnecting engagement, said intermediate operating member being formedof a resilient material, whereby said extensions are adapted to bespread laterally apart to release said actuating lever.

8. The lighter as defined in claim 7 wherein said extensions include camsurfaces adapted to be engaged by a tool for spreading said extensions.

9. A lighter as defined in claim 6 including a yoke member removably andpivotally connected to said platform, and a cap member having agenerally U- shaped cross-sectional configuration secured to andenclosing said yoke member, said cap member having an aperture thereinthrough which a flame extends from said ignition mechanism when saidlighter is in operation.

10. The lighter as defined in claim 9 wherein said spark producing meansincludes a friction wheel, and pawl and ratchet means for rotating saidwheel, said actuating lever being operatively connected to said pawl andratchet means for rotating said friction wheel upon actuation of saidlever.

11. The lighter as defined in claim 6 including a valve for fuel in saidcasing and wherein said ignition mechanism includes a valve controllever movable between opened and closed positions; said actuating leverbeing pivotable from a first position wherein said valve is closed and asecond position wherein said valve is opened, and having a notch formedtherein for engaging one end of said valve control lever, said notchhaving a configuration including spaced upper and lower edges and beinglocated in the first position of said actuating lever normally to engagesaid valve lever with its lower edge, thereby to hold said valve leverin its closed position, said upper edge of said notch being located toengage said valve lever in the second position of said actuating leverthereby to hold said valve lever in its opened position, and said notchedges being spaced a predetermined distance apart whereby said valvelever is free of said notch edges during movement of said actuatinglever between said first and second positions.

12. A lighter comprising a casing containing a supply of fuel andincluding an upper mounting portion having a protrusion extending fromthe surface of said mounting portion, and an ignition mechanismincluding a carrying platform adapted to be removably mounted on saidupper mounting portion, one of said upper mounting portion and saidcarrying platform having a retention surface formed thereon and theother of said mounting portion and said carrying platform includingresilient retaining means for engaging said retention surface andholding said mounting portion and ignition mechanism in predeterminedrelative positions after sliding movement of said ignition mechanismlongitudinally with respect to said casing in a first predetermineddirection, and said carrying platform having a recess formed therein forreceiving said protrusion when said casing and ignition mechanism are insaid predetermined relative positions.

13. The lighter as defined in claim 12 wherein said casing includes afuel containing body having an aperture therein for filling said body,said aperture being located to be concealed from view when said ignitermechanism is in said predetermined position.

14. A lighter as defined in claim 12 including a valve for fuel in saidcasing, and wherein said ignition mechanism includes a valve controllever movable between opened and closed positions, a pivotally mountedactuating lever movable between first and second positions, and flintmeans for producing an igniting spark, said actuating lever having anotch formed thereon for engaging one end of said valve control lever,said notch having a configuration including spaced upper and lower edgesand being located in the first position of said actuating lever normallyto engage said valve lever with its lower edge, thereby to hold saidvalve lever in its closed position, said upper edge of said notch beinglocated to engage said valve lever in the second position of saidactuating lever thereby to hold said valve lever in its opened position,and said notch edges being spaced a predetermined distance apart wherebysaid valve lever is free of said notch edges during movement of saidactuating lever between said first and second positions.

15. The lighter as defined in claim 12 wherein said ignition mechanismincludes an actuating lever pivotally mounted on said carrying platform,a housing sheath defining a pusher, and an intermediate operating memberoperatively connecting said pusher to said lever, said intermediateoperating member being rigidly secured to said pusher and removablyconnected to said actuating lever whereby said pusher and intermediateoperating member may be removed from said actuating lever to permitreplacement of said actuating lever without replacement of said pusher.

16. The lighter as defined in claim 15 wherein said actuating lever hasa pair of longitudinally extending spaced lateral sides and saidintermediate operating member includes at least two laterally spacedextensions which receive said actuating lever therebetween in operativeconnecting engagement, said extension being formed of a resilientmaterial whereby said extensions are adapted to be spread laterallyapart to release said actuating lever.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION patent No.3,733,167 Dated May 15, 1973 Robert Raymond Hocq Inventor-(s) It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the address of the Assignee, the name of the town should be --SaintGratien-.

Ih the heading; of the patent, thecorrect filing date of theapplication'should be-April 21, 1971-- Signed and sealed this 27th dayofNovember 1973 (SEAL) Attest:

. EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. RENE D. TEGTMEYER Attesting Officer ActingCommissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 6037 B-PGQ UTS. GOVERNIIENT PRINT NGOFFICE I969 O36 6-3344

1. A lighter comprising a casing containing a supply of fuel, a supportplatform removably mounted on said casing and an ignition mechanismmounted on said platform including an actuating lever pivotally mountedon said platform, a housing sheath defining a pusher, and anintermediate operating member operatively connecting said pusher andsaid lever, said intermediate operating member being rigidly secured tosaid pusher and removably connected to said actuating lever whereby saidpusher and intermediate operating member may be removed from said leverto permit replacement of said lever without replacement of said pusher.2. A lighter comprising a casing containing a supply of fuel andincluding an upper mounting portion having a bar extending transverselyof said casing and protruding from the surface of said mounting portion,and an ignition mechanism including a carrying platform adapted to beremovably mounted on said upper mounting portion, one of said uppermounting portion and said carrying platform having a retention surfaceformed thereon and the other of said mounting portion and said carryingplatform including resilient retaining means for engaging said retentionsurface and holding said mounting portion and ignition mechanism in apredetermined relative position after movement of said ignitionmechanism longitudinally with respect to said casing in a firstpredetermined direction, and said carrying platform having a recessformed therein for receiving said transverse bar when said casing andignition mechanism are in said predetermined relative position.
 3. Alighter as defined in claim 2 wherein said casing includes a fuelcontaining body having an aperture therein for filling said body, saidaperture being located to be concealed from view when said ignitermechanism is in said predetermined position.
 4. A lighter as defined inclaim 2 including a valve for fuel in said casing, and wherein saidignition mechanism includes a valve control lever movable between openedand closed positions, a pivotally mounted actuating lever movablebetween first and second positions, and flint means for producing anigniting spark, said actuating lever having a notch formed thereon forengaging one end of said valve control lever, said notch having aconfiguration including spaced upper and lower edges and being locatedin the first position of said actuating lever normally to engage saidvalve lever with its lower edge, thereby to hold said valve lever in itsclosed position, said upper edge of said notch being located to engagesaid valve lever in the second position of said actuating lever therebyto hold said valve lever in its opened position, and said notch edgesbeing spaced a predetermined distance apart whereby said valve lever isfree of said notch edges during movement of said actuating lever betweensaid first and second positions.
 5. A lighter as defined in claim 2wherein said ignition mechanism includes an actuating lever pivOtallymounted on said carrying platform, a housing sheath defining a pusher,and an intermediate operating member operatively connecting said pusherto said lever, said intermediate operating member being rigidly securedto said pusher and removably connected to said actuating lever wherebysaid pusher and intermediate operating member may be removed from saidactuating lever to permit replacement of said actuating lever withoutreplacement of said pusher.
 6. A lighter comprising a casing containinga supply of fuel, a support platform removably mounted on said casingand an ignition mechanism mounted on said platform including means forproducing a spark and an actuating lever pivotally mounted on saidplatform for actuating said spark producing means, a housing sheathdefining a pusher and having a substantially U-shaped cross-section forsubstantially surrounding said actuating lever, an intermediateoperating member rigidly secured to said sheath in the interior of itsU-shaped cross-section, said intermediate operating member beingremovably connected to said actuating lever whereby said pusher and saidintermediate operating member may be removed from said actuating leverto expose said actuating lever and said ignition mechanism on saidplatform.
 7. The lighter as defined in claim 6 wherein said actuatinglever has a pair of longitudinally extending spaced lateral sides andsaid intermediate operating member includes at least two laterallyspaced extensions which receive said actuating lever therebetween inoperative connecting engagement, said intermediate operating memberbeing formed of a resilient material, whereby said extensions areadapted to be spread laterally apart to release said actuating lever. 8.The lighter as defined in claim 7 wherein said extensions include camsurfaces adapted to be engaged by a tool for spreading said extensions.9. A lighter as defined in claim 6 including a yoke member removably andpivotally connected to said platform, and a cap member having agenerally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration secured to andenclosing said yoke member, said cap member having an aperture thereinthrough which a flame extends from said ignition mechanism when saidlighter is in operation.
 10. The lighter as defined in claim 9 whereinsaid spark producing means includes a friction wheel, and pawl andratchet means for rotating said wheel, said actuating lever beingoperatively connected to said pawl and ratchet means for rotating saidfriction wheel upon actuation of said lever.
 11. The lighter as definedin claim 6 including a valve for fuel in said casing and wherein saidignition mechanism includes a valve control lever movable between openedand closed positions; said actuating lever being pivotable from a firstposition wherein said valve is closed and a second position wherein saidvalve is opened, and having a notch formed therein for engaging one endof said valve control lever, said notch having a configuration includingspaced upper and lower edges and being located in the first position ofsaid actuating lever normally to engage said valve lever with its loweredge, thereby to hold said valve lever in its closed position, saidupper edge of said notch being located to engage said valve lever in thesecond position of said actuating lever thereby to hold said valve leverin its opened position, and said notch edges being spaced apredetermined distance apart whereby said valve lever is free of saidnotch edges during movement of said actuating lever between said firstand second positions.
 12. A lighter comprising a casing containing asupply of fuel and including an upper mounting portion having aprotrusion extending from the surface of said mounting portion, and anignition mechanism including a carrying platform adapted to be removablymounted on said upper mounting portion, one of said upper mountingportion and said carrying platform having a retention surface formedthereon and the other of said mounting Portion and said carryingplatform including resilient retaining means for engaging said retentionsurface and holding said mounting portion and ignition mechanism inpredetermined relative positions after sliding movement of said ignitionmechanism longitudinally with respect to said casing in a firstpredetermined direction, and said carrying platform having a recessformed therein for receiving said protrusion when said casing andignition mechanism are in said predetermined relative positions.
 13. Thelighter as defined in claim 12 wherein said casing includes a fuelcontaining body having an aperture therein for filling said body, saidaperture being located to be concealed from view when said ignitermechanism is in said predetermined position.
 14. A lighter as defined inclaim 12 including a valve for fuel in said casing, and wherein saidignition mechanism includes a valve control lever movable between openedand closed positions, a pivotally mounted actuating lever movablebetween first and second positions, and flint means for producing anigniting spark, said actuating lever having a notch formed thereon forengaging one end of said valve control lever, said notch having aconfiguration including spaced upper and lower edges and being locatedin the first position of said actuating lever normally to engage saidvalve lever with its lower edge, thereby to hold said valve lever in itsclosed position, said upper edge of said notch being located to engagesaid valve lever in the second position of said actuating lever therebyto hold said valve lever in its opened position, and said notch edgesbeing spaced a predetermined distance apart whereby said valve lever isfree of said notch edges during movement of said actuating lever betweensaid first and second positions.
 15. The lighter as defined in claim 12wherein said ignition mechanism includes an actuating lever pivotallymounted on said carrying platform, a housing sheath defining a pusher,and an intermediate operating member operatively connecting said pusherto said lever, said intermediate operating member being rigidly securedto said pusher and removably connected to said actuating lever wherebysaid pusher and intermediate operating member may be removed from saidactuating lever to permit replacement of said actuating lever withoutreplacement of said pusher.
 16. The lighter as defined in claim 15wherein said actuating lever has a pair of longitudinally extendingspaced lateral sides and said intermediate operating member includes atleast two laterally spaced extensions which receive said actuating levertherebetween in operative connecting engagement, said extension beingformed of a resilient material whereby said extensions are adapted to bespread laterally apart to release said actuating lever.